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3 Cohens: One
ByAvishai, Anat, and Yuval Cohen also share a similar musical background, having attended the Berklee School of Music in Bostonand while Yuval returned to Israel, Avishai and Anat have remained in New York, where they remain active participants of that city's music scene. Anat, aside from her own work, has played with artists including percussionist Cyro Baptista and singer Kerry Lindner; Avishai has appeared on a number of recordings, including Pharoah's Daughter's Out of the Reeds (Tzadik, 2000); Yuval's involvement on the Israeli scene is less visible, but no less profound. All have common bonds to music from the Middle East, yet all three have equal footing in the jazz tradition, the result of studies with George Garzone, Joe Viola, and the late John LaPorta.
But what gives 3 Cohens a certain edge is the simpatico they share, extending beyond merely being siblings; it involves all three sharing the common bond of music from an early age, and the kind of comfort level and intuition that can only come from playing together for many years. The result, whether it's on the lightly ambling "Shablul," the pastoral tinge of "For My Brother and Sister," the more incessantly swinging "In Amirim," which still manages to hint at a Middle Eastern harmonic sensibility, or the tender ballad "Morning Dream," is a front line that finds pleasure in the subtlest of nuance, the slightest turn of phrase.
While there are hints of their ethnic heritage, make no mistakethis music is clearly rooted in contemporary post bop. "Autumn & Wine" is an elegant jazz waltz, while "Shicolico" begins as a slightly-skewed bossa but then curiously transforms into a funkier vibe at the halfway point.
Throughout, a joyfulness pervades these performances. And while each of the Cohens is a capable soloist, the real magic happens when they're all in the pool at once. One can only imagine that the kind of interplay they exhibit on record would be amplified in an extended live context.
With a lyrical sense that is evident at every twist and turn, and an evidently harmonious relationshipboth personally and musicallyOne is a fine debut from a group that, with its first record, already exhibits the kind of "in the zone" telepathy that most take years to develop.
Visit 3 Cohens, Anat Cohen, and Avishai Cohen on the web.
Track Listing
1. Shalbul (7:15); 2. For My Brother and Sister (4:43); 3. In Amrim (4:47); 4. Morning Dream (6:16); 5. Positivity (5:08); 6. Autumn & Wine (5:55); 7. Shicolico (4:52); 8. Chona (2:42); 9. Law Nachon (6:53); 10. Shir Ha'Emek (6:59)
Personnel
3 Cohens
band / ensemble / orchestraAvishai Cohen (trumpet, vocals); Anat Cohen (tenor sax, clarinet, vocals); Yuval Cohen (soprano sax, vocals); Amos Hoffman (guitar, oud); Gilad Abro (bass, vocals); Shay Zelman (drums); Bilha and David Cohen (vocals on "Shir Ha'Emek")
Album information
Title: One | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Unknown label
Comments
About 3 Cohens
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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